Photo provided by the NTSB and taken by Julia Kirchenbauer shows a trim tab coming off Jimmy Leeward's P-51 Mustang before it crashed into box seats at the Reno Air Races Sept. 16, 2012. / Handout

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Federal safety regulators are focusing on loose screws in the tail of World War II-era fighter aircraft modified to race faster than 500 mph as a likely cause of the crash that killed the pilot and 10 others during air races in Nevada last year.

Regulators also point to potential deficiencies in inspection procedures.

The board says inspectors noted screws used earlier were too short in one of the trim tabs that help control the aircraft. The crew reportedly fixed the problem and the plane was cleared to race.

The NTSB says there was "no written procedure or sign off to ensure" that was the case.

A spokeswoman for the National Transportation Safety Board said that their website is down, but they’re working on the issue. Those interested in the Reno National Championship Air Races docket should continue to try this link.